MPLADS funds may be utilized for COVID-19

As a part of Government’s efforts to contain spread of COVID – 19, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has taken several preventive measures. It issued a circular granting one-time dispensation for utilizing funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) to address the challenges in the fight against COVID-19.This will facilitate Members of Parliament to recommend funds for purchase of equipments for Government Hospitals / Dispensaries for medical testing and screening of patients and also facilitate in setting up other related facilities in their respective constituencies. As per the amendments to MPLADS Guidelines, Members of Parliament can now utilize funds under MPLADS for the following:-

Infra-Red thermometers (Non-contact) to enable doctors and medical personnel to record and track a person’s temperature.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Kits to keep the medical personnel well-protected and enable them to function efficiently by minimizing the risk of transmission.

Thermal imaging scanners or cameras for railway stations, airports and other points of entry which allow detecting of temperature from a safe distance.

CORONA testing kits approved by M/o Health and Family Welfare

ICU Ventilator and Isolation/ Quarantine Wards within their approved facilities.

Face masks, gloves and Sanitizers for medical personnel.

Any other medical equipment recommended by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19.

2. In addition, while reviewing the emerging situation due to COVID-19 and to curb its spread in the country,the field work of ongoing nation-wide large-scale sample surveys of National Statistical Office (NSO) were suspended from 18th March to 31stMarch 2020.

Newspapers Association of India

The objective of NAI is to highlight the problems which have been plaguing the small and medium newspaper industry for the past so many years. A common platform at the national level was created for the members, to establish personal Contact with each other and have interactions on related problems and take up the same, with concerned authorities, on a collective basis.